Quilt Fabric Calculator
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Top, backing, binding, and total fabric yardage for your quilt size.
Quilt dimensions
Total fabric
11.78 yd
Top 3.35 · Backing 4.16 · Binding 4.28 yd
- Top yardage
- 3.35 yd
- Backing yardage
- 4.16 yd
- Binding yardage
- 4.28 yd
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Quilt fabric yardage
Quilt yardage splits into three main buys: top fabric (pieced or whole-cloth area), backing (typically 4–8 inches larger than the quilt on each side for longarm or hand quilting), and binding (strips around the perimeter). Wider backing fabric (108-inch) can avoid seams on large quilts — this calculator assumes standard 44-inch quilting cotton.
Seam allowances in piecing add fractional yardage; enter your typical allowance per seam join. A 10% buffer covers shrinkage, squaring up, and directional prints. Pattern-specific calculators are more accurate for complex blocks — use this for quick whole-quilt estimates.
Example: a 60 × 80 inch throw on 44-inch-wide fabric needs roughly 4+ yards for top and backing combined plus binding — often 5–6 yards total with buffer. A queen at 90 × 90 inches may need 8–10 yards depending on backing layout and whether you piece the back.
Common questions
Why is backing yardage larger than the top?
Backing must extend beyond the quilt top so longarm quilters can clamp the excess. The calculator adds 8 inches to width and height before computing backing yardage.
How much binding do I need?
Binding goes around the quilt perimeter. This estimate assumes 2.5-inch-wide strips (finished ~½ inch binding). Multiply perimeter by strip width and convert to yards — add extra for joins and corners.